Non-riders usually associate unicycles with the circus. While this can be a good thing and there are many amazing circus acts done on unicycles, there's also the "clown on a unicycle" implication the circus has as well. How mad do you get when someone tells you you should join the circus?

The fourth option, "I take it as a compliment actually", unless you are insulted by someone suggesting you join when you are already in it.

Sometimes I am a bit annoyed by the tone in which people deliver their clown or circus suggestions, but to get angry about it is just feeding their trolling cos they know it is a sensitive subject for some unicyclists- especially if they react strongly.

By over-reacting to circus comments the rider implies that circus activities or clowning is shameful, which it is not, and it is a bit shameful for unicyclists to act prejudiced against other forms of unicycling/circus.

First I learned that unicycles were used in the circus. I was 4.
Then I learned there are small number of people who ride unicycles as a sport. I was 33.

I get annoyed when people relate my unicycling with the circus, but then quickly realize I did too for most of my life. History is what it is. And people can't be exposed to every little niche interest in the world. Just smile and move on.

I have no problem with it because I really couldn't care less about what people think about my unicycling. Actually I've watched circus unicyclists and I only wish I was 10% as good as those folks! So to say I should ride in the circus could be taken as a compliment that I'm actually good enough to perform for the circus (which I'm not). The only people who've used this comment have been friends of mine and they don't mean it as an insult....

The Circus guys are getting paid to unicycle. It is their gig.
Most folks would not know what a unicycle is without the circus connection...
Whether it is a job, hobby, passion or sport .....just enjoy it.
I was riding a dirt bike once and someone called me a Hells Angel.
Now that was offensive.
Shug

I was riding down a local hill earlier this week and am used to getting all sorts of comments. I've never had any bad feeling about some of the classic lines. This person just waited til I'd gone past and started whistling the circus theme. I thought he was being a bit sly and trying to impress his girlfriend, and I had to stop myself from saying..... "if I'm a clown you must be a ringmaster"